Nutrient budgets in a small-scale freshwater fish pond system in Indonesia

Abstract

Over the past several years, Indonesian freshwater aquaculture has intensified, with a concomitant increase in the use of commercial pellets. To assess the effects of pond aquaculture intensification on nutrient dynamics, we monitored nutrients and fish production in a small-scale fish farm in West Java province. The studied system consisted of semiintensive giant gourami (Osphronemus goramy) production in four small earthen ponds (353-482 m 2 each and 0.46-0.55 m deep). Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fluxes through the ponds were monitored, and data on fish production and nutrient accumulation in sediments were collected during a 5-month production cycle. Results showed that, on average, 61% total N and 77% P inputs were trapped in the accumulated sediments. Only 15% of total N and less than 3% P inputs introduced into ponds were recovered in harvested fish. Sediment nutrient accumulation increased linearly with total nutrient input. The consequences of intensification of giant gourami aquaculture using this production model are explored in terms of nutrient use efficiency and environmental impact.

Growth, production and feed conversion performance of the gurami sago (Osphronemus goramy Lacepède, 1801) strain in different aquaculture systems

“…Although the contribution from giant gourami was lowest (6.96%), the local gurami tambago and gurami galunggung strains have been cultured intensively 8,9 . The giant gourami that belongs to the local gurami sago strain has never been cultured intensively.…”

“…Gurami sago is an herbivorous species that can consume a variety of plants, such as sente leaves (Alocasia macrorrhiza), kale (Brassica oleracea), cassava leaves (Manihot esculenta), and other young terrestrial plants. In addition, this species can eat commercial pellets and tolerate crowded aquaculture production systems, such as earthen freshwater ponds and synthetic sheet ponds 9,11,12 .…”

“…The main disadvantages of fish farming in the floating net cages of lakes are that they are not ideal for land use and may cause massive fish deaths 23,24 . Meanwhile, the advantages of floating net cage aquaculture include high water circulation, solid waste not accumulating near cages, low water quality variation, and no electrical power required for water aeration 18,21,22,25,26 . Fish production systems in many countries use a variety of methods, e.g., carp in earthen freshwater ponds 27 , giant gourami in earthen freshwater ponds and synthetic sheet ponds 9,12 . Nile tilapia in the ponds and cages 28 , and golden pompano in the floating cages 29 .…”

Growth, production and feed conversion performance of the gurami sago (Osphronemus goramy Lacepède, 1801) strain in different aquaculture systems

“…The giant gourami Osphronemus goramy Lacepède (1801) is one of the main freshwater commodities of economic importance. This species has been produced in small-scale farms fordecades in Indonesia 7 , 8 . However, only contributed as much 6.96% of the total freshwater aquaculture production.…”

“…Although the contribution from giant gourami was lowest (6.96%), but the local gurami tambago and gurami galunggung strain have been cultured in semi-intensive 7 , 8 . The giant gourami belongs to the local gurami sago strain has never been cultured intensively.…”